01 March 2023 , 11:57
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Virgin Media has today expanded the eligibility criteria for its social broadband tariff - meaning millions more people can now access its cheaper price.
From today, 9.7 million people receiving Income-based Employment Support Allowance, Income-based Jobseekers Allowance, Income Support, Pension Credit or Universal Credit are now eligible for its Essential Broadband and Essential Broadband Plus packages.
These deals were previously only available to Universal Credit claimants and cost £12.50 and £20 a month, respectively.
It comes after Virgin Media confirmed it has signed up to the Department for Work and Pensions’ social tariff checking tool.
This tool means eligible customers don’t have to keep showing they’re in receipt of benefits to keep getting access to cheaper social tariffs.
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Essential Broadband offers speeds of 15Mbps while Essential Broadband Plus delivers 54Mbps.
Both packages come with a no fixed-term contract - meaning you can leave whenever you want, without paying a fee - and no activation fees.
Jeff Dodds, Chief Operating Officer, Virgin Media O2 said: “As the first major provider to introduce a social tariff, and the only operator to have cut the price of this, we have a history of stepping up in tough times.
“Connectivity remains essential in so many ways, so we are expanding the eligibility criteria for our social tariffs to make it easier and faster for millions more low-income families to access this support during the cost of living crisis.”
Full list of social broadband tariffs
The Government claims switching to a social tariff could save you up to £180 a year - but many people don't realise these deals exist.
Prices start from £12 a month with Vodafone - but you might also be able to get six months free if you're a jobseeker through TalkTalk.
As well as "social tariffs" normally being cheaper than standard deals, they also normally don't come with any exit fees.
It is worth checking what is available in your area. If you're interested in one of the below tariffs, visit the main company website to check the eligibility criteria.
Here is a full breakdown of all the providers offering them. Prices are right at the time of publication:
Air Broadband Support - £20 (100Mbps)
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BT Home Essentials - £15 (36Mbps)
BT Home Essentials - £20 (67Mbps)
Community Fibre - £12.50 (20Mbps)
Country Connect Social Tariff - £15 (50Mbps)
G.Network Essential Fibre- £15 (50Mbps)
Hyperoptic Fair Fibre - £15 (50Mbps)
Hyperoptic Fair Fibre - £20 (150Mbps)
KCOM Full Fibre Flex - £19.99 (30Mbps)
Lightning Fibre - £15 (50Mbps)
NOW Basics - £20 (36Mbps)
Sky Basics - £20 (36Mbps)
TalkTalk - FREE for six months (38Mbps)
Truespeed - £20 (30Mbps)
Virgin Media Essential - £12.50 (15Mbps)
Virgin Media Essential - £20 (54Mbps)
Vodafone Essentials - £12 (38Mbps)